Latest revision as of 21:04, March 11, 2012

Julian of Halicarnassus was the Bishop of Halicarnassus, a city in Caria in southwestern Asia Minor, now the city of Bodrum in Turkey. He was a proponent of Monophysitism. Bp. Julian originated the heretical doctrine of aphthartodocetism that created a schism among the Monophysites.

Life

Little is known of Julian's life and personality. As bishop of Halicarnassus, Julian took part in the intrigues with Severus, who later became patriarch of Antioch, that led to the exile, in 511, of Patriarch Macedonius II of Constantinople. Julian, himself, was banished, in 518, during the reign emperor Justin I.

In exile at the Monastery of Enaton in el-Dekhiela outside of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coastal road to Mersa Matruh, Julian became involved with Severus, who likewise was in exile, in a dispute over the question whether Christ's body during his life on earth was incorruptible, the heretical doctrine of aphthartodocetism that Julian espoused and Severus disputed. Their dispute led to a schism of the Monophysite party that was not healed until the seventh century.

The later years of Julian's life are unknown other than he did not return to Halicarnassus. His doctrine circulated as far as Arabia, and also found acceptance in the Armenian Church. His correspondence with Severus has survived.